Thursday, August 28, 2014

WWW, August 2014 - Three vocals, four dubs:
Love Fe Life is a joyous collaboration between Jamaican vocalist Ibel and Med
Dred based on another island, namely that of Cyprus. The Mediterranean vibes are
there, undeniably. The Jamaican vibe, too. There's even a UK Dub vibe coming in
the form of a Dub by Dub Caravan. Get this one for some Ireness!

Ibel Campbell (b. 1967) is a conscious,
peacefull Rastaman who loves to share good vibes, because he knows that this is
so much needed. Not just on Jamaica, not just on Cyprus, not just in the UK but
everywhere. Love Fi Life comes with three vocal tracks, all equally conscious.
Four dubs, too. The last track, dubbed by Dub Caravan in the UK is the heaviest,
the other three dubs are more dub counterparts to the vocal tracks, giving you
some time for meditation on the words you just heard.

WWW, August 2014 - With the Dub Key Net Label
based on Malta, Dubophonic is the next step in a Mediterranean Roots Reggae and
Dub take-over. Based in Cyprus and founded no earlier than June 2013, the Net
Label has been on steroids when it comes to their (free) output. In August
2014, the counter stood at sixteen free releases while they recently started
putting out their first "VIP" (buyable) release.

One thing is for certain: Dubophonic take their
net label serious and so it should be. It's not just the amount of releases in a
certain quality, it is the work on their website, liner notes and massive press
feedback. Centered around Dub Thomas, but not limited to him. A look at the
artist names reveal a variety of styles and genres, from heavyweight Dubwise to
a more lighter variant, Dubophonic strives to cater to all lovers of (conscious)
Reggae and Dub.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

WWW, August 27 2014 - About a week after the
release of the Net
Album, here came the CD edition of Messian Dread Presents A Heavyweight
Dubwise Selection Without Objection. No less than 16 tracks, a special license
for all DJ's and full high quality cover art: it most certainly transcends it's
online version. On top of that, obtaining this physical product will show that
you are not just serious in your support for (DUB) Reggae Music, but about your
own record collection as well. After all, this is a selection of very special
tracks featuring legendary names like U Roy, Prince Jazzbo and Dillinger.

Of course, when you're just interested in the
music and satisfied with burning your own CD you can simply jump to the Net
Album download page and get the CD Quality wave files from there. No problem.
This is not a release to make money, this is not even a promotional tool for
Messian Dread and/or Dubroom Productions, while most of the vocalists featured
on the album absolutely need no promotion either. This is simply an opportunity
to get your hands on a physical presentation of the 2014 developments in the
Dubroom studio and the reasons to want that can vary.

The reasons for the creation and eventual
release of this album didn't vary. It's a selection without objection, after
all. A selection documenting the enormous improvement in sound and other quality
when compared to pre 2014 Dubroom productions. One reason. A selection that
deserves to be presented with the special designed cover art because it tells a
story. Another reason. A very special way of saying thank you to all those who
have been supportive in one way or another. More reason. A physical quality
product that more than justifies the price because it is a valuable
addition to any Reggae record collection. Nuff reason.

This is a high quality product like any audio
CD. The full color cover art (including on the disc itself) is printed in
superior quality and the tracks are exact duplicates of the CD Quality Master
Tapes (16 Bit, 44.100 Khz). The album itself was created in a special process at
AMAZON.com called Create Space. The musical works, the cover art, getting a UPC
number: it took several days of working, tweaking, and reviewing both at the
side of the Dubroom and at Amazon's. The process was concluded when the physical
review copy was sent to the Dubroom via very snail mail and subsequently
approved before it went live at Amazon. In fact, Amazon is the only place where
you can actually get the album.

The price is set at $12.50, which is quite
reasonable for 70 minutes of pure heavyweight Dubwise and since Amazon has all
these special shipping offers, it's even possible to have it shipped to your
doorstep for close to no costs. The CD and cover art are printed on demand
exactly like the copy that was physically reviewed and approved at the Dubroom,
so you'll have the sign of approval from the Dubroom. Since Amazon is
responsible for creating and shipping the exact high quality duplicate of the
approved copy, you will have all the Amazon guarantees when it comes to the
quality of the physical product itself. In short: The Dubroom approves the
album, Amazon certifies you'll get what we approved.

A labor of love for (DUB) Reggae and the many
vocalists present on the album. Purchasing it is an equal "labor" of
love for the very same.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

WWW, August 2014 - After five years of silence in the vinyl area, the Italian
Dub collective MOA
ANBESSA has scheduled a 12" release for September 15 in this 2014. The
Dubroom had a chance to listen and wholeheartedly recommends all vinyl addicts
to go and order the 180 grams of Roots Reggae Ireness from the Venice crew
before it's sold out.

It's almost impossible to follow the Dubroom and not know about Moa
Anbessa. This collective of conscious Singers and Players of instruments
(including the mixing board) stood at the root of the -now online legendary- Italian
Dub Community Showcase series, while their productions are well sought
after by selectors of major Sound Systems like Aba Shanti-I and Jah Shaka. This
is Roots Reggae (Dub) in it's finest form, namely that of the conscious kind. It
comes with the kind of communication that actually fits the massive sounds of
the drum and bass lines.

They have no need to be introduced when you have downloaded the Italian
Dub Community Showcase series. Solid as a rock, the Rock that is that
solid foundation. The musical vibes go straight to your heart, and so does this
vinyl release. Even more: those who know their vinyl usually prefer it over MP3
or even CD because of the lower frequencies and they definitely want these
tunes.

Actually, we're talking about two vocal tracks with their (separate)
Dub/Instrumental counterpart. Two singers, too: Prince David and Jules I. Both
are part of the Moa
Anbessa collective, and both tracks have served as Dub Plates for the
well known Aba Shanti-I Sound System until they were printed on this 12
inches of Righteousness. In fact, this release is not planned to be anything
else but what it is: a stricktly vinyl release.

Both Prince David and Jules I deliver a very strong message. Actually, it is
a call and a message. A remembrance call to all people, that is. A remembrance
call to praise the Creator, to start following His ways rather than the vanity
that Babylon has to "offer". It's a message of strength and
encouragement to all those that are already aware that we have a Creator and
that He must be praised. Yes, this is the kind of Roots Reggae that is so
desperately needed in so many places all over the globe. Both singers deliver
their call in a very heartical way, a way that can never be matched by the
Babylon Industrial voices pushed into our ears each and every day.

Now, the music and especially the Dubs. Both tracks are steppers. "Watch
Them" would musically be the sugar part, "Jah Jah Calling" the
spice. Of course this becomes all too clear when you're listening to the Dubs.
Or, to be more precise: an instrumental and a Dub. "Watch Them" comes
with a pure instrumental (often called "pure riddim"), "Jah Jah
Calling" is followed by it's militant, hard stepping Dub version. The
production itself is clear yet fat, evidently mixed for vinyl.

A very, very fine release that is expected to be in the better Reggae stores
both online and offline from September 15, 2014. Phasebookers (and
non-phasebookers) should visit https://www.facebook.com/MoaAnbessaItaly/
or http://controltower.fr
to (pre-) order the release. Unfortunately, Moa Anbessa does not have a website
of their own but these two links destroy that excuse not to buy the vinyl. Also,
watch out for another release planned for November 2014.

Monday, August 11, 2014

WWW, August 2014 - Pato Banton has his way of dealing with his voice and
lyrics: he is a master of saying the serious thing in a funny way without making
fun of the situation itself. Yes, intelligence galore in his many releases, of
which Mad Professor Captures Pato Banton remains to be a standard of UK based
sing-jay or toasting.

During his decades-long
career, Pato Banton voiced for UB40 and many other UK based famous acts. His
sense of humor, his usual focus on social and spiritual topics, he combines
everything in an undeniable special and personal style that has -in the mean
time- lifted up the souls of millions of listeners and viewers of energetic
concerts. Check out this remarkable talent!

Saturday, August 9, 2014

WWW, August 2014 - Introducing what can easily be called the best line of
Reggae Vocal Sample packs until this date: "Don Goliath Presents Reggae
& Dub Acapellas". Obligated material for every self-respecting (online)
Dub/Reggae producer in need for vocals, without apology and exaggeration. Yes,
that's a description and not a slogan. And here is the proof and reasoning to
back it up.

When you go to the various websites where the online (DUB) Reggae
artists/producers upload their material, it will not take too long before you
stumble upon a tune that has one of these well known jingles from Mikey Dread's
albums, or Prince Far I, or Jah Thomas. Just three, you know. But
"everyone" knows them and even though non-commercial releases will
usually not be objected, using such vocal samples is not really a sign of
dignity.

Producing your own (DUB) Reggae and releasing it in a legal way: let's call
it the Dignity Combination.

Sure, there were times when it was simply not possible for your average
online Dub producer to obtain vocal material in a legal way and not get
bankrupt. Even stronger, there simply was no vocal material available for use in
your own productions until more recently, when DUB DROPS released their
excellent "SOUND SYSTEM VOCALS" featuring Dennis
Alcapone and Horseman.
Three releases, all three reviewed in the Dubroom and used in the productions of
the studio that is attached to this website.

And now there is the line of Reggae & Dub Acapellas by Don Goliath.

Or, to be more specific, presented by Don Goliath, who also contributed
vocally.

When you've never heard of Don
Goliath, and you're looking at names like Horseman
and Dennis
Alcapone as an alternative option, you can make the enormous mistake of
overlooking this line of Reggae Vocal sample releases. A mistake which can
easily be overcome, though, by continuing to read this (first) review.

Let's carry on dropping names, just to make some points:

Dillinger

Trinity

Kojak

Lone Ranger

U Roy

Prince Jazzbo

All six names have, like Dennis
Alcapone and Horseman,
legendary status. U
Roy can be considered the founding father of DJ-ing, not just in Reggae but
in every style of music including Hip-Hop. Lone
Ranger has been voicing for Studio One, the starting point of too many
careers to mention. Dillinger
had a world hit with "Cokane In My Brain", Trinity
voiced the classic "Jesus Dread". Before Kojak
chanted as a DJ, his got a name as part of the duo Kojak and Liza. Prince
Jazzbo features on classic albums from Black Ark and has many essential
productions on his own name. And that's just a little name dropping to set the
tone.

The tone of Roots Reggae as authentic as authentic can be.

Yes, you've guessed it. Don Goliath's series has all six of these famous
vocalists included. Among much more, that is.

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

WWW, August 2014 - It has been quite, quite a while since we've heard
anything comming from Sister Aisha, especially from Ariwa's studio. This has now
changed, even though it's a single we talk about. Complete with a heavy, heavy
Dub mix by Mad Professor this is a heavyweight release that should not miss out
in your catalogue of conscious Roots Reggae.

Yes, this is a re-make of the Yabby You classic. And what a remake it is!
Just like Yabby You, sister Aisha is known to have her spirituality well
connected with her musical output, both on stage and in the studio. Just like
Yabby You, Mad Professor knows how to capture this spiritual determination on
the tape machine or whatever it is they use nowadays in the legendary Ariwa
studio.

The classic riddim has not lost one inch or ounce in this 2014 remake. It's
arguably stronger, and definitely more contemporary which has it's advantages.
As Aisha sings the oh so important lyrics in a way that demands an ear, the
music is more than illustrative of the words. It's the riddim itself, sure, but
it's the sound of Ariwa as well. A sound that is driven to the fullness in the
accompanying Dub, mixed by the Mad Professor.

For a Dub Head like yours truly, the choice between a the Vocal or the Dub
version is more often than not, well, just not a choice. It's about the Dub and
too much lyrics can become like too much gunshots in a bad western movie anyway.
Not with his one, though. It's not just the fact that ones who like Aisha (and
who doesn't) will gladly pick up her latest tune simply because it has been too
long. No, it's also the fact that in itself, this single stands so strong in
it's message, the words are so serious where you hear that yes it's a good
singer but there's something more. Yes, much more.

Perhaps that is the reason why the Dub version is so outstanding as well.
This is definitely not just a B-side or however you want to call the Dub
versions in their digital releases. This is a more than crucial Dub, it's almost
like the Mad Professor knew that with such a vocal version you kind of need all
you have in your studio to give it at least a balanced counter-weight.

Monday, August 4, 2014

WWW, August 2014 - When you're involved or interested in music
production, it's almost impossible to not notice how many websites carry
advertisements of LOOPMASTERS.com.
When you've recently visited Studio Dubroom or enjoyed the music we've released
since April this year, it's even totally impossible to not know about this
website. Messian Dread reviews the "Sample Boutique" from his
perspective as an online (DUB) Reggae producer.

It was somewhere in the beginning of 2014, that I was browsing the Web in
search for some material to use in my music. I had been kind of silent for quite
some years, and one of the reasons for that was that I was kind of finished with
the sounds that I had produced for some years. Finished with my virtual brass
section, finished with my own vocals, and very much impressed by more recent
online works from Net Labels mainly in the digital spectrum.

I have this thing with in-your-face digital Dub and other Roots Reggae. I
love it, I can make hours and hours of DJ mixes carrying the sounds. I can't,
however, produce it myself. It's simply not there, in my soul. At least, not at
this moment. After several failed attempts which I don't even want to discuss, I
felt myself kind of stuck between the stuff I produced earlier and, well,
something I wasn't really sure of.

In this state of mind, I was kind of looking on the Internet for some stuff
to work on, or with. Typing all kinds of key-words into the search engine,
getting all kinds of websites with shady contents that might be nice for some
private productions but for the rest has, let's say, legally questionable
material. Sure, it would be nice to download an Acapella by let's say Luciano
and be able to create a musical work with it that you can release, right? Well,
forget such niceness when you use shady websites like the ones I just described.

Someone once said, in a different context: "Do as they say, not as they
do". I took that principal at hand, and went on to look for a legal
variety. Is it possible, to get some good quality legal vocal material,
preferably of the authentic kind? This is where I discovered just why almost
every website with advertisements has this banner linking to LOOPMASTERS.com.

Usually and like "everyone", I ignore banners and ads when I visit
a website. The times that I've actually clicked on an ad because I was
interested in the site can be counted using the fingers of one hand, and I'm
online since the early 1990's. Being the "rebel" that I am, the more I
see an ad the less I'm likely to click on it. The reason why I did visit the
Loop Masters' website therefore had nothing to do with the publicity. The reason
was simply I was looking for legal material, especially vocals, and my search
engine gave me the link. The only link.

Now, a few months later, I can only conclude that Loop Masters is the
one-stop for most of the most authentic and legal online source material for the
production of (DUB) Reggae Music. This is not my suggestion for a slogan to use
in yet another banner, it is my personal conclusion at this moment. A conclusion
which I would like to share, without apology but with reasoning.

The first thing that I noticed, was a familiar name: Dubmatix. This Canadian
producer is without the shadow of a doubt living up to his last name
"King" when it comes to Dub and the North American continent. He knows
his music, he knows his vocalists and he knows his studio. I looked further and
discovered they had a sample pack with material from none other than Mad
Professor. My fingers started to itch as I was clicking my mouse. However, I
wasn't jumping to the "Sample Boutique" as they very pleasantly
describe themselves to get Drum loops and such things.

This is when I discovered what would become source material for literally all
my productions this year, both released and (yet) unreleased or even unfinished.
Source material for 10's and 10's of tracks, perhaps even well over a 100.
Quality source material, for prices that make you laugh. Authentic quality
source material, of which the first serious online review is yet to be written.
This review -and the product reviews the Dubroom already published- is only the
beginning of a serious promotion campaign to right that blatant wrong.

Now, do I seriously think that Loop Masters is waiting for a Dubroom review
to get customers? Absolutely not. In fact, I am convinced that they have a good
running business and probably didn't even notice how the Dubroom reviewed one of
it's products only days after it's release (Mad
Professor's Reel to Reel Reggae Volume Two). The overwhelming major part of
Loop Master's catalogue is aimed at the producer of Electronic Dance Music or EDM,
so they're obviously not depending on "our kind of people" (Dub/Reggae
producers).

A kind of independence that -in the case of LOOPMASTERS.com-
provides quality of the highest -read: non-commercial- kind.

Let me put it in other words, more blatant. The music we love, (DUB) Reggae,
is commercially not attractive. You will not score a world hit with a Dub tune.
At least, not yet. There is no strict commercial interest that will drive a
provider of Samples and other Soundware to offer (DUB) Reggae related material.
There must be some other reason for Loop Masters to offer the things they do,
and I can come up with nothing else but a pure love for Reggae.

So, what I'm reviewing here is actually not really the website LOOPMASTERS.com
but rather the things you, as a producer of (DUB) Reggae music can find there.
Yes, there is much more than what was already reviewed here in the Dubroom and
even though eventually all interesting products will get their own review, you
might not want to wait any longer after reading what you're about to read.

Get ready.

Readers and visitors will have read about "Roots Step", a very
contemporary form of Roots Reggae that appeals to lovers of DubStep and other
forms of contemporary digital stuff. Roots Step is a sound by Berlin based
producer DON GOLIATH, who
has been interviewed because of his remarkable musical works. His countless
tracks feature legendary vocalists like U Roy, Trinity, Dillinger, Kojak, Lone
Ranger, and Prince Jazzbo. Others feature more younger but crucial singers like
Ras Khaleel, Clifton Yeates, Seamus, Kamouflage, Kontent, Masta Jay, Assante and
Tallis. Or MC's like Piracy, Lion Tafari, and Jah Rooti.

Wait.

It's rather difficult not to notice that some of these names feature in more
recent Dubroom productions and in case you've wondered just how it is possible
for the Dubroom to produce a Dillinger track, now you know.

No, Don Goliath and I have not both been shopping at LOOPMASTERS.com.
In fact, this is where I got introduced to this name, as Don Goliath is the one
who provided the UK based sample boutique with 10's of acapellas he used for his
own productions. Original acapellas, proven by the fact that many of the
vocalists talk about the Don.

Under the name "Don
Goliath - Reggae And Dub Acapellas Vol. 1-6", LOOPMASTERS.com
offers full length lyrical acapellas including a license (quite important). Each
volume has a number of tracks. You can buy a volume and pay less per track, or
you can -like I did- pay a little more but only get the ones you want. A little
nit-picking, because when you're looking at the prices you start to wonder why
there is so little music found online that was created with one or more of the
acapellas.

Usually, when there's not a sale you will pay around 8 Euros per track.
Immediately after you make a purchase, you get "virtual cash" in your
account, which is about 10-15% of the money you just spent. You can use this
"virtual cash" with a next purchase. When there's a sale, you can get
an acapella for as low as five euros this way. Again, this includes a legal
license to use the vocal works in your own productions.

When I discovered LOOPMASTERS.com
I could not believe that I had never heard any track featuring the vocal works
before, in particular with prices like these. I see some non-commercial artists
using acapellas from shady sites or jingles from albums that
"everyone" knows, with the result that their own productions are shady
and can never be seriously considered. This ridiculously cheaply priced series
from Don Goliath -and other vocal releases at LOOPMASTERS.com-
should put an end to that, in my opinion.

Sure, there are many who -for one reason or another- are unable to perform
online payments. Still, this can not be an excuse not to pay attention to the
website or the sample packs they offer. It's what I did when I first visited the
website: I downloaded the free demo files from all the Reggae vocal packs at the
website and some other stuff as well, like Mad Professor's Reel to Reel Reggae.
In itself, this was almost the weight of a complete sample pack but that wasn't
the only fun these free downloads gave me. They included a license too!

Check this quote, straight from the Loop Masters website:

The demo loops are covered by our General
Licence Terms meaning you can use them in your commercial productions with
no further royalty payments. If you do use them commercially we would very
much appreciate you purchasing the full pack in order to help support our
Artists producing the packs, more releases and free samples.

This simply means, that every online artist can -should- register at LOOPMASTERS.com,
receive a free welcome pack and start downloading the demo files. It's free and
gives your releases a legal foundation, which is not just relevant for obvious
reasons: it is a sign of (self-) respect as well.

It did not take me too long before I wanted more than the free packs I
downloaded. These free packs, however, had already brought me on a next level.
Remember, I was kind of looking for material because I hadn't been producing
anything for years because I was finished with my sound. I had found the source
material I was looking for. This was indeed a financial investment, but even
without any purchase I have done at LOOPMASTERS.com
I had material for many, many tracks. Licensed material, that is.

For me, the Loop Masters boutique has provided me with just the right
material to improve my sound to a next level. Something which in my idea can
easily be recognized just by playing stuff I currently release and comparing it
with my older stuff, like on my album "Showcase". No, I am not talking
about easy-to-build tracks. In reviews I hope to publish later on the Don
Goliath series, this will become very clear. I am talking about inspiring
material that challenges me to go beyond what I used to do. Material that is
educational, too.

I wasn't asked or paid to do this review. I wrote it because it is my work to
promote (DUB) Reggae Music. Even my own productions and releases can and should
be seen in that context. I think that when properly used, the material that LOOPMASTERS.com
has for the average online (DUB) Reggae artist/producer can serve as a resource
to improve the quality of many, many works.

When you're serious about your work, a visit to LOOPMASTERS.com
is almost as obligated as having a computer in the first place.

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